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I have a history of shamelessly stealing content ideas from my friend David. Mostly because he has good ideas, but also because I'm a lazy, lazy writer.

This week's theft comes in the form of a Facebook meme that BEGGED for larger context and more detail. So I'm going to put on my mask and answer these questions about what I've done (and what I've not), in order to fill up space give you a better idea of who I am and what I'm about.

Have I ever:

Fired a Gun

Yes. Everyone is required to learn how to fire a weapon in Boot Camp, and then periodically re-qualify thereafter as their duties require. My duties required, so there you go. I don't personally own a weapon, but the Smart Man likes to shoot at targets periodically for fun. Being a civil libertarian with a fondness for the Constitution, I have no issue with the ownership of firearms in a generic sense, so if you want to own weapons in a responsible manner, knock yourself out. But not literally, especially if you're holding a loaded weapon.

Gone on a blind date

No. Why would I torture myself in such a way? It's tough enough to find someone with whom you're compatible without resorting to random chance and the dubious judgement of intoxicated acquaintances.

Skipped school

Yes. In high school I made a career out of skipping school, to the point where I almost didn't graduate. Luckily I grew out of that, and never shirked in college.

Watched someone give birth

Does having a C-Section while conscious with a medical drape in front of your face count?

Watched someone die

No. Although I'm not sure doing so would have made my losses harder to bear.

Visited Canada

Yes. My study abroad activity for college was in Quebec City, and I've visited Toronto on business several times. I've also visited BC several times, on both business and pleasure. I think I need to plan more vacations to Canada, though. Actually, I just need to plan more vacations.

Visited Hawaii

Yes. I lived there for three years when on active duty, and went back with the Smart Man on our first cruise five years ago. I love living in the tropics, although I didn't love the cost of living. My apartment was in Pearl City, about two blocks from the Pearl City Tavern, also known as the Monkey Bar. No, I never went there.

Visited Europe

Yes. Just a few weeks ago, in fact. BEST VACATION EVAH.

Visited Las Vegas

Yes. Many, many times. Mostly for business, as conferences are frequently scheduled there, but a couple of times for pleasure. I don't particularly care for Las Vegas. I don't like to gamble, and suffer from crowd anxiety. But there's Cirque de Soleil, so it's not a complete loss.

Visited Washington DC

Yes. My Smart BIL and his family live outside Baltimore, and when I worked for the Military Industrial Complex, I went there often on business. Plus I have a number of close friends who live in that area, so it's always worthwhile to go to that part of the country.

Visited Asia

Yes. I've lived in Asia, actually, as well as making two WestPac/Middle East deployments when on active duty. Here are the countries I've visited:

Philippines (resident)

Singapore

Hong Kong

Malaysia

Thailand

Japan

Korea

Okinawa

Also:

Bali

Guam

Midway Island

United Arab Emerites

Bahrain

Visited Africa

No. But we've put a eco-tourism trip on our bucket list.

Visited Florida

Yes, to my deep regret. I went to Boot Camp in Orlando, and have returned a number of times on business. People in Florida just aren't right, y'all.

Visited Mexico

Yes. I've been to Mazatlan several times, and visited Tijuana when I lived in San Diego. Love the climate.

Visited Australia

No. But the Smart Man and I are planning our retirement vacation to include it, along with New Zealand and SE Asia. We've started saving already, because that is going to be one expensive trip, given that we don't want to do it on the cheap.

Seen the Grand Canyon in person

Yes. We took the Smart Twins when they were about 12, and it's more amazing in person than it is in pictures.

Flown in a helicopter

Yes. See: Military Service.

Been on a cruise

Yes. Three times, in fact. One to Hawai'i, one to the Alaskan Inside Passage, and just recently to the Mediterranean. Our next itinerary includes the Baltic capitals in 2020 to include Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, St. Petersberg, and Tallin. I love cruising.

Served on a jury

No, but I'd like to. Since I come from a military family and my father was also a Deputy Sheriff, defense attorneys avoid me like the plague. Which is short sighted of them, given my liberal tendencies. Statistics: It's not just for insurance companies anymore.

Been in a movie

Yes. A television movie, that is. In my misspent youth I was a member of a riding group that frequently provided "extras" for Western movies, and I participated a couple times. Note: It's really, really boring to be an "extra."

Visited L.A

Yes. I've been to Disneyland, and one of my ex-husbands had grandparents in L.A. I also toured JPL on a layover on my way to the Philippines when I was a young sailor.

Been to New York City

No. And this pisses me off, because Sistah Stacey and Brother J.R. live there, and we were supposed to visit last year. Life interfered, however, and we had to cancel.

Cried yourself to sleep

Yes. And hence woke up with the delightfully attractive swollen eyes that are part and parcel of such an event.

Played in a band

No. And I regret that. Because I can sing!

Recently colored with pencils

No. I prefer to color with gel pens.

Sang karaoke

Yes. I used to prefer Anne Murray songs, as our ranges used to be identical. 15 years ago I quit smoking and my range increased pretty dramatically, but I haven't done karaoke in decades.

Swam in the ocean

Yes. Lived in the tropics, baby.

Paid for a meal with coins only

Yes. Euros allow that quite easily.

Made prank phone calls

Yes. Back in the day when Caller ID and *69 was just a pipe dream.

Laughed so much you cried

Yes. Often. It's my favorite thing to do with friends.

Caught a snowflake on your tongue

Yes. I grew up in Colorado.

Had children

Yes. Although we lost one way too young. Fucking depression.

Had a pet

Yes. Dogs, cats, horses, fish, lizards, rodents...

Been skinny dipping

Yes. Once. I don't recommend it.

Rappelled down a building/tower

No. Not yet...I think I should probably lose some weight first.

Gone zip lining

No. See above.

Been downhill skiing

Yes. We used to ski often with the kids, but now we're old and creaky and prefer less strenuous hobbies.

Been water skiing

Yes. Fun!

Been camping in a tent

Only if being deployed to Korea in the winter counts. These days my idea of camping is a weekend stay at the Hotel del Coronado.

Driven a motorcycle

No. It's just never come up, and now I don't trust other drivers on the road enough to even try.

Jumped out of a plane

No. Are you kidding?

Gone to a drive-in movie

Yes. We used to go often in my youth.

Done something that could have killed you

Yes. More than once. Because I was stupid (and lucky) in my youth.

Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life

Yes. I think we all have regrets of this type, and for me, it's usually related to my being unkind to someone who didn't deserve it.

Rode an elephant

No. Elephants in captivity offend my sensibilities.

Rode a camel

No. Camels are smelly, foul tempered, and spit a lot.

Eaten just cookies or cake or ice cream for dinner

Yes. Of course I have. Duh.

Been on TV

Yes. I was in a Burger King commercial in my youth, as well as several kid-type shows related to the group I rode with.

Been in newspaper

Yes. Again: Youth group. Plus the local paper in my capacity as a Library Trustee.

Stolen any traffic signs

Yes. A stop sign, I believe.

Been in a car accident

Yes. But nothing major.

Stayed in Hospital

Yes. Several times. I don't recommend it, although I have to say my experiences with military hospitals were pretty darn good as these things go.

Donated blood

Yes. I believe in all sorts of blood and tissue donation. Because after all, I'm not going to miss any of that stuff.

Had to pay a fine in the past 12 months

Yes. Because apparently I can't remember to register my vehicles in a timely manner. This one is strange, as I've never been late in my life until this year. Mad Cow, here I come!

Eaten snails

Yes. They're tasty, but I have a problem with the texture...sort of like mushrooms in that regard.

Gotten a piercing

Yes. But only in my ears.

Gotten a tattoo

Yes. More than one, actually, and I'm researching a new one right now.

Driven a standard car

Yes. My Dad made me learn on a standard transmission, and the Fiat is a standard, as well. I'm of the opinion that this is a life skill that every adult should have. Because you never know.

Ever owned your dream car

No. Not yet, anyway. I have trouble spending more than $30K for a vehicle, actually, so it's unlikely to happen.

Been married till death do we part

Yes. Finally.

Been divorced

Yes. Three times, actually. Slow learner, and all that.

Fallen in love

Yes. But my idea of what "love" is has certainly changed over the years.

Paid for a strangers meal

Yes. Many times. Usually military members in uniform that I see at the airport, but elsewhere, too. I like to do this, and always try to duck out before they know what I've done.

Driven over 100mph

Yes. The Fiat is a zippy little thing.

Worked in a pub

No. I come from a family of alcoholics. This is not a good career choice for me. Been scuba diving

Yes. I love this activity, and intend to revisit it again. Found a dead body

No. And for this I'm grateful.

Lived on your own

Yes. Many times, but given my propensity to hermitage, it's not the best choice for me from a "interact with other people," and "have meaningful relationships" perspective.

Rode in the back of a police car

No. Just....no.

Written or published a book/story/poem/song

Does writing this blog count? Because while I enjoy writing (and think I have some small amount of skill), I don't want it to be a job, even a volunteer job. I write for my own enjoyment, to manage my feelings and work through my thought processes. I don't think I'd like it much if it was a chore.

About Me

I am a Hot Chick living in Castle Rock, CO with my fabulous family. We have a rescue dog named "Jackson," and she's a Basenji/Shepherd mix. She's something of a head case, but we love her. I'm a U.S. Navy vet, and I currently work as an Enterprise Solutions Architect, specializing in VoIP and multimedia contact center design. I'm a Trustee for my local library, because LIBRARIES. I care about science, the U.S. Constitution and the military. I'm a tax and spend liberal in a largely red county, but I try not to be stabby about it. I like to color, I aspire to run faster than I do, and I donate knitted cold weather gear to various charities. Stupidity, cupidity and wanton assholery piss me off, and I'm more than a little soft when it comes to dogs and those who serve others. I blog about whatever I feel like. I use foul language, so if that sort of thing offends you, feel free to fuck off now - if I'm unwilling to clean up my language for my fabulous Great Auntie Margie, I'm unlikely to do so for you. Newcomers are welcome here, especially those who disagree with me, but trolling and spamming will be met with the Shovel of Doom™.